Shift supervisor jobs come in a variety of shapes and sizes, but they all have similar responsibilities and are usually classified by the type of work being supervised and the shift in which it occurs. Many of these positions entail supervising others. This typically entails keeping employees on task, scheduling breaks and lunches, and dealing with customer complaints as needed. Shift supervisor jobs can also vary significantly depending on the work shift.
The majority of shift supervisor jobs entail supervising others for the duration of a single work shift. This usually entails not only supervising those working the shift, but also ensuring that business from a previous shift is properly transitioned. As the shift comes to a close, the supervisor is typically expected to hand the store over to the next shift’s supervisor. Depending on the type of company a supervisor works for, the type of supervision required for various shift supervisor jobs will often vary.
Shift supervisor jobs in retail are common, and they typically entail ensuring that employees are performing their duties and that customers are satisfied. This includes not only ensuring the success of the current shift, but also scheduling employees for future shifts. Other types of shift supervisor jobs are common in the manufacturing and distribution industries, and these jobs typically require less customer interaction and more employee supervision. In order to meet production or shipment deadlines, such jobs typically entail ensuring that work hours are productive.
Many shift supervisor jobs are classified according to the shift worked. If a store or business is open 24 hours a day, there are usually three shifts, and a shift supervisor will usually oversee one full shift. The first shift is typically a morning shift that lasts from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. The second shift usually begins at 2:00 p.m. and ends at 10:00 p.m. The third shift, also known as the graveyard or overnight shift, typically begins at 10 p.m. and ends at 6 a.m.